Introduction: A Week Away from Screens
In Singapore, NUS College has launched Touch Grass Week, a deliberate shift from digital classrooms to outdoor learning spaces. The initiative brings together undergraduates who typically spend long hours in front of screens, offering a curated set of activities designed to foster hands-on collaboration, critical thinking, and fresh perspectives through real-world engagement.
How It Works: Community, Creativity, and Classroom Outdoors
During Touch Grass Week, students participate in a variety of sessions that blend academic rigor with informal, nature-inspired settings. Small groups gather on grass lawns to discuss assigned readings, brainstorm solutions, and jot notes in their course books directly on the grass or on portable writing surfaces. The emphasis is on tactile learning, peer-to-peer dialogue, and the freedom to explore ideas without the usual classroom constraints.
Creative Writing in the Open Air
In one highlighted activity, students select objects—ranging from a sponge to eggshells—and craft short narratives or reflective essays inspired by these items. The exercise encourages sensory description, metaphor development, and the practice of turning everyday objects into compelling stories. By writing in an outdoor setting, participants may notice details they would miss in a traditional classroom, enriching their creative process.
Discussions That Move Beyond Screens
Other sessions emphasize active dialogue over passive listening. Students sit in circles on the grass, sharing insights from readings, posing questions, and offering constructive feedback in real time. This format fosters a sense of equality among participants, with ideas flowing more freely when the environment feels informal and welcoming.
Learning Outcomes: Focus, Observation, and Community
Educators overseeing Touch Grass Week report several outcomes that align with modern learning goals. Students develop stronger observational skills by taking notes in outdoor settings, practice concise communication through on-the-spot summaries, and strengthen collaboration through team-based problem solving. The relaxed atmosphere can also reduce barriers to participation, enabling quieter students to contribute more readily.
Why Offline Learning Now?
As universities increasingly blend online and offline experiences, Touch Grass Week serves as a reminder of the value of tactile interaction and real-world observation. Outdoor learning reduces digital fatigue, invites diverse sensory input, and enhances memory retention by coupling information with concrete surroundings. For students juggling heavy coursework and internships, a scheduled offline pause can recharge motivation and curiosity.
Student Voices: Reimagining the Classroom
Participants describe the week as a rejuvenating break from routine that nevertheless maintains academic seriousness. A student describing the creative writing exercise said the hands-on prompts helped them connect theory to tangible experiences. Others noted that face-to-face discussions in fresh air created a safe space for experimentation, where ideas could be tested and refined in real time.
Future of Teaching: Integrating the Grass-Week Mindset
While Touch Grass Week is a temporary program, educators see potential for integrating its principles into broader curricula. Hybrid models that combine outdoor workshops, field trips, and in-class sessions could become more common, ensuring that students learn to adapt to different environments and modes of thinking. The core message remains straightforward: learning should be as dynamic as the students who pursue it.
Getting Involved: How to Participate
Current and prospective students interested in participating should monitor NUS College announcements. Those who join can expect a structured yet flexible schedule, with clear objectives for each session and opportunities to reflect on what they’ve learned. The program welcomes students across disciplines, encouraging cross-pollination of ideas and perspectives.
Conclusion: Grounding Knowledge in Real Places
Touch Grass Week at NUS College is more than a novelty; it’s a purposeful experiment in re-centering learning on observation, collaboration, and tactile engagement. By stepping outside, students may discover new ways to observe, reason, and articulate ideas—skills that remain essential whether they pursue research, entrepreneurship, or public service.
